Soca music is the backbone of Trinidad Carnival. Without good music from artists during the festival, fetes, cruises, Carnival Monday and Tuesday would not be the same. This is why every year we look forward to songs produced by new and established artists.

Music sets the tone, vibe and atmosphere of all the events. Let us be honest we usually pick our favorite songs and cannot wait to hear them at events to whine and get on bad. Soca music is steadily growing in popularity globally. As the genre grows our culture’s reach and influence grows as well.  

Well as the season has just finished, many artists have put out amazing music. I have made a list of the top soca songs for Trinidad Carnival 2020.

The Best Soca Songs for Trinidad Carnival 2020

Voice & Kes – Dear Promoter

First on my list is this monster track. Two titans and two of the best voices in soca have come together to bring us this song. To be honest I did not expect a colab between these artists. However, I must admit this song is incredible and is one of my favorites for the season.

The song ‘Dear Promoter’ speaks to Trinidadian culture and the fact they need no fancy setup to party. The songs states how no one can party like Trinidadians and they bring the vibe to any fete. ‘Once Trinis reach in your fete it is niceness’, this line in the chorus says it all.

The song uses live instruments and you can hear the difference in quality. The baseline is crazy and whoever the drummer is deserves an award. The song was produced by Captain John and mixed mastered by well-known Trinidadian producers ‘Precision Productions’.

Lyrikal –  Rukshun

Rukshun, is definitely one of the best soca songs for Trinidad carnival 2020. The track is on the Darkseid Riddim, was written by Lyrikal and produced by Wetty Beatz. This song along with Problem Childs release ‘Nasty Up’ on the same riddim has been in heavy rotation since 2019.

This Brooklyn based soca artist has been consistent with his music and continues to bring us quality. It is no surprise that Lyrikal placed second in the International Power Soca Monarch with this one.

The riddim produced by the Vincentian Wetty Beatz definitely has that Vincy energy and mash up vibe. I love this one and it deserves to be on this list I may be alone in this but I think Lyrikal is a majorly underrated artist.

If you ever see me out and this song starts to play as the lyrics go ‘Do me a favor don’t tell me bout behavior’.

Problem Child – Nasty Up

I love this song and it can be described in one-word HYPE! There is no way this song can be played in a fete and people not start to party immediately. As stated above this track is also on the Darkseid Riddim. To be honest it is a toss up to me which I prefer between this and Rukshun.

However, let me put it like this if I am out and the Dj’s cues Rukshun this has to come after or vice versa. The whole sound and cadence of this track to me represent Vincentian culture.  It is the best power soca I have heard for the season and captures the energy of the masqueraders on the road.

I would love to have seen the fetes in Trinidad and St. Vincent when this song came on with lyrics like ‘we go mash up everything like we have insurance’ it must have been crazy.

Machel Montano – Play Harder

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Machel is a living legend at this point, he has elevated the art form and set a standard for all artists in my opinion. While he has backed away from competitions Machel is still releasing incredible tracks. One such track this year is Play harder and it is one of the best soca songs for Trinidad carnival 2020. The song is on the Pop’s Guitar Riddim and was written by Parry Jack, Problem Child and Machel Montano.

The track is a feel good song about partying with friends and family after working hard and being paid. This is on of those tracks to unwind to relax and enjoy. As the chorus states ‘work hard and play harder’.

Patrice Roberts – Carry On

I have to admit I love Patrice; she is one of the most consistent female soca artists in my opinion. This song is on the same riddim as ‘Play hrder’ by machel the Pop’s Guitar Riddim. This masterpiece was written by ‘Problem Child’ and I think it is time he gets his due for being one of the best soca song writers of this generation.

The song is simply a tale of love between two people and Patrice telling her partner he can have his way with her. Her voice fits the riddim perfectly and I love how she harmonizes at certain parts during the song.

I have been following her career for a while and I hope she gets the international acclaim at the level of Machel at some point.

Mr Killa – Soca Storm

One thing I can say about Mr. Killa is that he is unique. Let’s be honest there are not many artists you can place in the same category as Mr. Killa. His performances, style and delivery in his music are different and that’s why he stands out.

This song was written by Mr. Killa and produced by Dada” Lawrence & Shawn “Spine” Stewart. Mr. Killa who held the title of the reigning International Soca Monarch at the time in his usual style Killa brings the energy with this song.

The song has the same formula as run with it his 2019 hit and is a good follow up. In my opinion when the song first hit it made a huge impact and sort of simmered off as time passed.

However, the track is one of the best soca songs for Trinidad carnival 2020. Soca storm is guaranteed to get any party going.

​Patrice Roberts, Nessa Preppy, Travis World & Dan Evens – Splash

A big tune coming from Patrice and Nessa Preppy for the season. However, the song gives me the same vibes as ‘issa snack’ that Nessa released last year. Nonetheless it is one of the best soca songs for Trinidad carnival 2020.

Let me just say that I love the concept for the video and the ladies look incredible. The song was written by Shumba and produced by Travis World and Dan Evens. The song is a good party starter for any fete and can definitely set the vibe.

​Kes & Iwer George – Stage Gone Bad

This song needs no introduction as it is one of the biggest tracks to emerge from Trinidad this year. It has since won the road march and is the first road march wins for Kes. It is also one of the few songs in years I have heard from Iwer that is not about water (no disrespect to the legend).

The song was written by Andre Jeffers and performed by Kees Dieffenthaller ‘Kes’ and Neil ‘Iwer George’. When I first heard the song I took a while to recognize Kes voice in the song as it is not his usual melodic sweet vibe. Which shows the Kes range and versatility.

The stage was definitely not the same again as these two artists won the road march and I salute both of them on a job well done.

​Nadia Batson – Fatt

This song was written by Nadia Batson, Erikkson George & Devon Martin and produced by Vibez Productionz & Intl Stephen. I must admit over the last two years Nadia Batson has really grown on me. With songs like ‘Catching Feelings’, ‘So Long’ and ‘Strangers’ she has become one of my favorites.

I have to point out how incredible Nadia looks in this video to be honest I did not know she was built like that. She definitely lives up to the lyrics of the song ‘fatt’ all the meat in the back.

I am glad to see full figured women being highlighted as only one narrative was being portrayed in the main stream media.

This song is definitely a female empowerment track but is so well put together even men can jam to this one.

Kes – Boss Lady

This song is on the Baila Riddim, Baila, spanish word for dance. The riddim which has french zouk instruments tied together with alluring drums and completed with the beautiful voice of Kes making it a certified hit.

The Baila Riddim has Motto from St Lucia and Skinny Fabulous out of St Vincent as well but this song stands out. The song gives me an old school vibe with a touch of modern flavor.

Lyrics like ‘Boss lady I come for this wuk’ stand out and give you the perfect idea of what this song is about. I love this one and as usual kes does not disappoint. This is definitely one of the best soca songs for Trinidad carnival 2020.

Nailah Blackman – Boujee

This track is definitely different and I am not entirely sure if she released this for the soca market alone. This song has a mixture of hip-hop, Brazilian funk and soca meshed in one and I love it.

I am glad to see Nailah trying something different and experimenting with her music. I can definitely see this track crossing over to different markets.

Bunji Garlin – The Struggle

This song is on this list not only because of its ability to mash up the fete but its realness. Soca is a genre of music that reflects the party scene but there are those songs that are real and reflect the struggles in life.

Bunji garlin has brought up this tune and the songs has lyrics from beginning to end. The song is about his struggle coming up in life and the music industry but also takes me back to a time when everyone wasn’t so sensitive.

I must admit I believe Bunji is a lyrical genious and can spit lyrics with the best of them Jay-z, Vybz kartel, Kendrick and I dare any one to challenge me on that. Lyrics like ‘Nobody had mechanical surgery but everybody hips had chrome’ attest to this man’s talent. I think this song is the perfect track to close out this list and is definitely one of the best soca songs for Trinidad carnival 2020.

Well I hope you enjoyed my list and remember every one’s taste is subjective so if you believe there are some tracks that should be on this list feel free to comment below.